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Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat is hinting that the 49ers may be looking to make a deal for a cornerback. The 49ers are currently ranked 25th in pass defense giving up 224 yards per game. Maiocco didn’t name any names or what the 49ers would offer, but most likely one of their fourth rounders could come into play.

In the wake of a 41-0 trouncing by the Kansas City Chiefs, talk is intensifying in league circles that Niners defensive coordinator Billy Davis will be fired at the end of the season, if not sooner.

Davis was hired by Mike Nolan in February 2005, after Nolan was named the 49ers’ new head coach.

Source: ProFootballTalk

Another unhappy wide receiver, another rumor the Niners are interested. Oakland Raider Jerry Porter is the latest wide receiver rumored to be drawing interest from the 49ers. Reports are Porter and Raider head coach Art Shell don’t see eye to eye, and that Porter has asked to be traded. No word on if the Raiders will accommodate Porter’s request, but of course if there is any receiver out there unhappy looking to be traded the Niners always seem to be tops on the list.

Ashley Lelie is still wanting a trade, and the Niners are still one of the teams on the list. Yesterday John Clayton reported that the Broncos are still trying to find a suitor for their disgruntled wide receiver. Reports are Shanahan would like to get a running back in exchange for Lelie. The Broncos would like a running back, a tight end, or a 1st or 2nd round draft pick. There were rumors yesterday that Chris Brown of the Titans wanted to be traded and that Denver was a possibility, but the Titans declined Brown’s trade request.

We already know the Niners will not give up a 1st or 2nd rounder, and that Eric Johnson will not be traded. So that leaves only the possibility of Kevan Barlow as tradebait, and I don’t see the Niners going into the season with Gore, Hicks and Robinson. But on the other hand Antonio Bryant is the only receiver on the roster that has had a productive season, and with Battle as the No. 2 you have to take into consideration the problems he has had with his knee. So until Lelie arrives in Bronco camp or he is traded, we’ll continue to hear the Lelie to San Francisco talk.

Update: 06.10.06—Dennis Georgatos, of the San Jose Mercury News, reports San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan dismissed Internet speculation about a three-team trade involving 49ers TE Eric Johnson. “His name has not come up,” Nolan said. “There’s absolutely nothing now in the works.”
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There has been some buzz today about a three team trade involving Ashley Lelie, SF’s Eric Johnson and the Saints Donte Stallworth. Lelie would go to New Orleans, Stallworth to the 49ers and Johnson to Denver. I think Denver is still just shaking the tree with teams to see what exactly they can get for Lelie.

Source: [Jeremy Green – ESPN]

The San Francisco 49ers gradually are shifting away from players added to the team during Terry Donahue’s tenure as G.M., a league source tells us.

The latest example? We’re told that 2005 third-round selection Adam Snyder, an offensive guard, would start in front of 2004 second-rounder Justin Smiley, if the season were to begin today.

Donahue served as General Manager through 2004. He was fired on the same day as former coach Dennis Erickson in January 2005.

Smiley is signed through 2007, at salaries of $425,000 and $460,000 over the next two seasons. His tenuous status in San Fran already is prompting speculation that he might be available via trade.

Source – [Pro Football Talk]

There have been some rumors in Ninerland that Ty Law was set to meet with the 49ers. We checked with one of our sources and there are no truths to those rumors. Ty Law is not set to meet with the 49ers.

This is from NFL Draft Almanac. Take it for what it is worth. We are trying to verify with our sources if there are any truths to these rumors.

We continue to hear news that disgruntled Packers WR Javon Walker will be traded before the April 29th NFL Draft. The 49ers, Eagles and Broncos have all surfaced as possible suitors. Our sources close to the 49ers say that the team has offered a 2007 2nd round pick, but the Packers are asking for a 2006 pick.

Update: 7:06 – Len Pasquerell is reporting that three-year veteran fullback Jeremi Johnson, who had discussed a long-term deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in recent weeks but been unable to reach an agreement, on Thursday afternoon signed his one-year restricted free agent qualifying offer of $721,000.
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Update: 8:59 – (04.08.06) For those who need more confirmation on my previous update. Same thing I said yesterday, this from the Sacramento Bee

Despite a report to the contrary, the 49ers are not considering signing restricted free agent Jeremi Johnson, a fullback with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Update: 12:46 – 04.07.06 – Per our sources. There are no truths to the Niners persuing Jeremi Johnson. This is mainly talk from Johnson’s agent trying to drum up a long term deal from the Bengals for his client. The Niners would not give up a 4th round pick for such a low-impact position.

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04.06.06—Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com is reporting that the Bengals aren’t the only ones talking to fullback Jeremi Johnson about a long-term deal. Agent Peter Schaffer confirmed Thursday the 49ers have explored the possibility of signing Johnson, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet.

If the Niners were to sign Johnson it would cost them a 4th round draft pick.

Todd McShay of ESPN is reporting despite much speculation, do not expect the Broncos to package their two first-round selections in an attempt to move into the top five. Coach Mike Shanahan and general manager Ted Sundquist agree the team’s window to make a Super Bowl run is closing rapidly and the wiser move is to find two players who can contribute immediately rather than packaging the picks for one elite, but high-priced prospect.

As of right now, the game plan is to use the 15th overall selection on the best available wide receiver, running back or tight end prospect, then address one of the other two remaining needs with the best available prospect still on the board at pick No. 22. If Denver selects a running back or wide receiver with its initial first-round pick, it will strongly consider offers to trade out of the 22nd spot. Don’t be surprised if the Broncos move out of the first round completely with that second pick, knowing they can get an impact player from a deep class of tight ends. Two tight ends they are targeting in that scenario are Notre Dame’s Anthony Fasano and Colorado’s Joe Klopfenstein.

Update: 04.09.06 – Bill Williamson, of the Denver Post, reports on rumor making the rounds is the Denver Broncos trading WR Ashley Lelie. Two teams mentioned as potential destinations are the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. At this point all of the talk is just that, talk. It’s unclear if there is any connection between this talk and Lelie’s decision to skip the first week of the Broncos’ offseason workout program to work out on his own in Arizona. Bill Williamson also reports another rumor making the rounds is the Denver Broncos packaging their No. 15 and No. 22 picks in the first round of the NFL Draft to move up to No. 5 (Green Bay) or No. 6 (San Francisco) to take Maryland TE Vernon Davis, whose football ability, size and speed make him an off-the-charts NFL prospect.
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02.11.06 - Sacramento Bee is reporting that Niners VP of Player Personnel Scot McCloughan said there was ‘no truth’ to an Internet rumor the 49ers were considering trading a first-day draft pick to the Denver Broncos for receiver Ashley Lelie.

02.09.06 —There is a new rumor in Ninerland, this one involving Broncos wide receiver Ashley Lelie. Orangemane.com is reporting that if the Broncos land Terrell Owens, they are going to shop around Ashley Lelie. It was reported that two teams were interested, the 49ers and the Falcons. Lelie is not that interested in playing in Atlanta for ‘unspecified’ reasons, but would love to play in California to be closer to his family. This is all based upon the Broncos actually getting TO, and as of right now is a rumor.

Update: (04.01.06)—From our source Niners are not shopping Harris. Don’t look for him to be traded. Only way is if there is an offer to good to pass up. Niners see Harris as a valuable backup (swingman) if by chance he does not beat out Snyder for the starting spot.

03.31.06—Len Pasquerelli is still reporting the Falcons are taking an interest in RT Kwame Harris. Apparently Nolan has turned down a 3rd and a 4th round pick for Harris from another team:

ESPN.com has confirmed that there have been some discussions between Atlanta and San Francisco officials about Harris, a player to whom the current 49ers staff has no innate loyalties, since it didn’t choose him. Word at the annual league meetings earlier this week was that the 49ers have already turned down an offer of third- and fourth-round draft choices for Harris from another franchise interested in him, so the Falcons might have to go a bit higher than that to land the three-year veteran, and they might be reluctant to do so.

It is being rumored that the Atlanta Falcons are showing interest in RT Kwame Harris. This according to Len Pasquerelli. Per our sources, they have not yet come to the 49ers in regards to acquiring Harris, but Pasquerelli knows people in the Falcon organization so there is some validity to the rumors.

Niners looking at Raonall Smith

Tom Silverstein, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports the San Francisco 49ers are in the running to sign free agent LB Raonall Smith (Vikings). The Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals are also in the running.

- Hicks signs one year deal

- Niners play T.O. & the Cowboys in Dallas in Preseason

Update: 3:30 – The San Diego Chargers have announced the team has signed free agent TE Aaron Shea (Browns) to a three-year deal. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Update: 1:10 – Boulware done with football? From Baltimore Sun:

“Released this week by the Ravens for the second time in a year, linebacker Peter Boulware said last night that he would like to remain with the team in some capacity if his NFL career is over. Boulware, 31, didn’t rule out a return as a player, either, although he indicated it would take a special situation.”

Update: 8:02 (03.17.05) – Scout.com is also stating that the 49ers may have interest in recently released LB Peter Boulware, based on his previous association with coach Mike Nolan when both were with the Ravens.

From KFFL: Dennis Georgatos, of the Mercury News, reports the San Francisco 49ers visited with free agent TE Aaron Shea (Brown) Wednesday, March 15.

No word yet on if a contract has been agreed to. If we hear anything, we’ll let you know.

The Baltimore Ravens released LB Peter Boulware yesterday. Rumors have already surfaced that Nolan is interested. No word on any visits, or contact from the 49ers. At this time it is only speculation.

Rumors are swirling that Charles Woodson would consider crossing the bay. Word is that Woodson would be willing to take a pay cut in order to have a fresh start and not move to another area. The Postons want to improve their reputation around the league and signing a reasonable deal with Woodson would be a good start in strengthening their reputation.

We have calls out to numerous sources, if we hear anything more on this. We’ll let you know. At this time there has been no confirmation from 49ers HQ’s regarding any contact from Woodson or his Agents.